King of Swords
Element: Air | Season: Mid-Winter | Astrology: Aquarius, Capricorn | MBTI: ESTJ
When the blade cleaves the sky, the clouds roll like legal codes being turned. A colossal sword is wrapped in glowing runes and rules—the very foundations that shape the human spirit and the world itself. From the clouds emerges the silhouette of the King of Swords. Laws and doctrines reassemble and scatter between his fingers. Beneath the blade, the world divides into two layers of truth: white birds surging upward carry truth and hope, shedding feathers of unfulfilled wishes; white birds diving downward bear thought and order. In the instant they cross paths, aurora light reflects off the blade. All things possess concrete rules and directions—dialectics and wisdom, reason and thought.
Symbolism:
The King Formed from Cloud and Mist: Both external and internal mastery of the air element have reached their peak. He favors rational analysis and logical thought, possesses deep learning, and knows how to apply it flexibly. He rarely displays emotion, remaining sharp-minded and insightful in both thinking and communication. Yet emotional detachment may create distance. The butterfly above his head echoes that of the Queen of Swords, symbolizing freedom and the air element, while his position among the clouds signifies dignity and leadership.
The Sword: Positioned slightly to the left, the sword represents reason, judgment, and decisiveness. It is a symbol of rationality that also divides the scene, reflecting a dialectical view of matters—capable of dissecting essence while retaining the power to act.
White Birds: Birds flying upward and downward represent the dual wisdom between action and choice.
Aurora: Symbolizes transformation and vitality. Birds flying toward the aurora express a yearning for higher wisdom and elevated states of being.
Written Rules: Represent established laws and doctrines already mastered and transcribed. They signify that the King’s decisions are made only after rational analysis and objective truth are fully considered.
Upright:
Justice, knowledge, decisiveness, professional authority, lawyer, intellectual excellence, clear rationality, mature logical thinking, authoritative judgment and decision-making, a clear and firm leadership style.
Personality: Clear-minded with rigorous logic, deeply insightful, skilled in analysis and judgment, fair and objective, precise and powerful in communication, emotionally stable and mature, committed to truth and principles, balancing wisdom with compassion.
Relationship: Reason-led emotional connections, clearly defined emotional boundaries, valuing intellectual compatibility, sincere and direct communication, maintaining independent judgment in relationships, mature and steady interaction built on mutual respect.
Career/Studies: Outstanding leadership and decision-making ability, strength in strategic planning and execution, advantages in law and management, clear logical analysis, fair team leadership, authority in academic research, talent in negotiation and arbitration.
Finances: Rational financial planning and decisions, precise investment analysis, steady asset management strategies, financial plans based on thorough research, fair principles of resource allocation.
Advice: You possess your own blade of judgment—your standards. Use your rational insight and wisdom well, and while upholding principles, retain human warmth. Let your discernment create greater value for teams and society.
Reversed:
Cruelty, selfishness, cold-bloodedness, lack of logic, emotional detachment, narrow-mindedness, insufficient professionalism, incompetence, cunning manipulation.
Personality: Authoritarian and intolerant of dissent, masking emotional deficiency with rationality, stubborn refusal to change, suppressing others through authority, cutting speech that wounds, lack of empathy and tolerance, judgment influenced by personal emotion.
Relationship: Excessive rationality harming intimacy, controlling partners through authority, emotionally cold communication, critical attitudes disrupting harmony, lack of emotional support and understanding, power imbalance within relationships.
Career/Studies: Authoritarian leadership causing conflict, major losses from misjudgment, decisions distorted by personal bias, misuse of expertise for power struggles, suppressed team morale, innovation stifled.
Finances: Autocratic financial decisions, investment judgments clouded by bias, missed opportunities due to over-control, financial difficulties caused by stubbornness.
Advice: Respect the independence of others. The sword of judgment should not be placed upon those around you. Examine how you wield authority, restore balance between reason and emotion, and remain open while upholding principles—only then can wisdom truly guide.